'Red Dead Redemption 2' release date: game to cover entirety of U.S. map

Red Dead RedemptionRockstar

"Red Dead Redemption" released as far back as 2010, and similar to "The Elder Scolls V" and "Grand Theft Auto V," fans have been waiting for a follow-up. While nothing official has been announced thus far, a report from Cross Map does point out to a few theories and speculations that may find their way into the finished product.

One of the immediate theories shot down was that "Red Dead Redemption 2" would be set in Japan. While this may seem like a grand idea, the series thus far has been focused entirely in the Old West. Both "Red Dead Revolver" and "Red Dead Redemption" are rooted so strongly in the Wild West culture that suddenly shifting the setting to Japan would be too big of a leap.

The second theory showcased is that "Red Dead Redemption 2" may utilize a much larger map compared to the first title. While the name of the United States is never actually mentioned, it is implied that the first game's locations cover New Mexico,  Utah, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Dakota, Rocky Mountains and Mexico.

It is reported that the follow-up may now involve areas in the East Coast and that the railroad industry might play a large part not only for the main story but also in terms of traveling from one location to the other.

Doing this, however, would meld together two different kinds of settings. While the Old West is often viewed as a lawless land rife with violence and cowboys, areas like New York City are undergoing the Industrial Revolution and are advancing faster with each passing year.

Rockstar Games has not yet made any official announcement thus far, however, and it is likely that the development team is still busy with "Grand Theft Auto Online." With that in mind, the theories should still be considered as pure speculation until Rockstar Games confirms any bit of news in an official statement.